WASHINGTON. D.C. – House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Darrell Issa (R-Vista) released the following statement today regarding the Obama Administration’s intention of filing a lawsuit challenging legislation passed by the State of Arizona providing state law enforcement with the authority to enforce immigration laws:

“For the better part of two decades, citizens in border states like Arizona, Texas and California have been told that illegal immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government while their concerns about the safety of their families and communities have been largely brushed aside or met with inconsistent, under-resourced and ineffective responses from the federal government.  They now find themselves over-run by drug cartels, gangs and human trafficking.  The people who live under the constant threat of border violence have every right to be protected and have every right to defend themselves, their families and their communities.

“For President Obama to stand in the way of a state which has taken action to stand-up for its citizens against this daily threat of violence and fear is disgraceful and a betrayal of his Constitutional obligation to protect our citizens.  Rather than spend time, energy, resources and money stopping a state from enforcing existing immigration laws, the Obama Administration should instead mobilize every resource available to stand with these states and families who live daily with the reality of violent crime along an unsecure border and suffer the consequences of the federal government’s failure.”

Issa, also a member of the House Judiciary Committee, joined with 19 House Republicans today in sending a letter to Attorney General Holder criticizing the Obama administration’s decision to challenge Arizona’s 2010 immigration enforcement law, SB1070.  The letter was signed by Representatives Darrell Issa (CA-49), Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (TX-21), Steve King (IA-05), Trent Franks (AZ-02), Ed Royce (CA-40), Todd Tiahrt (KS-04), Dana Rohrabacher (CA-46), Sue Myrick (NC-09), Elton Gallegly (CA-24), Marsha Blackburn (TN-07), Dan Burton (IN-05), Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (CA-25), Jim Sensenbrenner (WI-05), Gary Miller (CA-42), Gregg Harper (MS-03), Brian Bilbray (CA-50), John Carter (TX-31), Peter King (NY-03), Jason Chaffetz (UT-03), Jeff Miller (FL-01).

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